The report is based on financial data from 80 per cent of the garden centre market plus input from garden product manufacturers and depicts a strengthening market, while warning about the number of mergers and acquisitions in garden retail.

Real term growth returned to the garden products market in the second half of 2013 according to MTW, with the majority of garden sectors set to experience buoyant performance in value and volume terms.

MTW's director Mark Waddy said there was "a growing consumer appetite for higher quality garden products in 2014, following what could be almost be described as a 'race to the bottom' for many sectors in recent years."

But the report forecasts that imports will continue to gain share of the overall garden products market as the lower value sector of the market rises by 25 per cent in the next four years.

Sales of garden products via the internet will reach £400 million in 2014 according to MTW, underpinned by demand for garden equipment and garden leisure products through this channel. This sector continues to outstrip growth in the garden products market with this trend forecast to continue, albeit at a slower rate than in previous years.